How to Style the PUMA Thunder Spectra

Up there with large logos, tricolor tracksuits and supersized silhouettes, the bulky sneaker is a 90s throwback making a comeback for autumn-winter 2018. From high-fashion houses Prada, Gucci and Balenciaga to your favourite problematic rapper weighing in, everyone's doing it like dad did. However, what we like about PUMA's offering is that they're not asking us to stand in line or pay an unreasonable price for their chunky kicks, which is why we're certain many will pick up a pair of the unconventional footwear.

So how should you wear the PUMA Thunder Spectra?

To help answer this question, we enlisted Superbalist's resident sneakerhead, streetwear fiend and graffiti writer, Devon Daniels, who after throwing up a piece that celebrated the chunky sneaker, threw together three looks to stunt the newest addition to his rotation.  

All Black Everything

There's so much going on with this bold sneaker – oversized sole, vibrant colours, bulky upper – that you don't need larger-than-life styling for the rest of your outfit. Wearing all black allows for the sneakers to be the focus, but the look isn't necessarily subdued. In the same way the PUMA Thunder Spectra doesn't bother with clean lines you should create a similar look by layering baggy tracksuit bottoms cuffed at the ankle with a windbreaker, parka jacket and long line black T-shirt. By playing down this layered look it allows for the attention-seeking sneakers to really steal the show. 

Amplified Colour

The PUMA Thunder Spectra launched in a colourway of black, red, yellow and teal, and is crafted from mesh and nubuck with a chunky midsole and minimal branding on the heel and tongue. There's a lot going on here, and it's fun to do the same with a look that's the exact opposite of the all-black outfit above. Simply pick up on accents on the shoe and echo them, which in this case is the teal on this PUMA Diamond Supply top, but it's up to the individual how far they'd like to take it, and this look could go into heavy colourblocking territory with the simple addition of a red PUMA hoodie.

90s Dad Core

Moving away from minimal, tailored looks and low-cut lace-ups, chunky sneakers are a dad-core staple that makes us nostalgic for our favourite 90s sitcom Seinfeld. The somewhat nondescript boxy bomber jacket in an olive fatigue is outwear that together with a curved-brim soft-wash dad-cap will make you blend in. Meanwhile the retro-futuristic footwear inspired by details from PUMA's McQ Tech Runner Low, designed by the late Alexander McQueen, is shouty AF with its mesh and nubuck  upper, moulded TPU system and a wavy chunky midsole.

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